Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly
written by Alan Madison
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
published by Schwartz & Wade Books, a Divison of Random House Children’s Books, ©2007
Book Details
audience: Children’s Book, ages 3 to 9
format: children’s picture book
topics: field trip, butterflies, caterpillars, hobbies, first grade, science for kids, nature, life lessons, siblings
Children’s Book Awards
- nominated for the 2010-2011 Nebraska Golden Sower Primary Award
- nominated for the 2010 New York State Reading Association’s prestigious Charlotte Award
Story Summary
Velma is a first grader. Unfortunately, Mr. Plexipuss (her teacher) doesn’t think she is as remarkable as her sisters were. She isn’t a good singer (like Frieda) or good at sports (like Fiona). She likes science, and she LOVES butterflies. When she learns that her class is visiting the Butterfly Conservatory, Velma is all aflutter. When a monarch butterfly befriends Velma, what happens next is just … way cool. This picture book offers lessons in personal discovery and being true to yourself.
What makes it a Timeless Children’s Book?
My daughter and I have shared Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly on and off for three years. When we first got the book, we read it every night for two weeks. Velma may be a first grader, but kids of all ages can relate to those feelings of being compared to one’s siblings, being good at something different, or going unnoticed.
Velma and her feelings are central tot he story, but there are other themes in this children’s book, too: being true to yourself (and your passion), sibling dynamics (her sisters are very supportive); and facts about butterflies. Also, don’t underestimate Velma as a role model to encourage girls who like science.
Guest Author Notes
This post is written by Terry Doherty, Founder and Executive Director of The Reading Tub, a nonprofit for family literacy. One of the goals of the Reading Tub is to offer reviews of children’s books that parents will want to share with their kids. Year in and year out she and her volunteers read hundreds of children’s books. Many come from publishers, but plenty come from the public or school library, as well as our own shelves.
The Backlist lets us share books that has been around for at least a year, and you may not have heard about. Most importantly, these are the books you’ll never tire of reading with your kids and grandkids. This is a children’s book you’d buy for other people.
To write your own guest post on Comluv, visit the ‘write for us‘ page to see how. I can be to the subject of your own blog or even a review of a children’s book like this post.
